The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-11-24
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER II.
After a while we reached our destina
ton, and to this day l am not certain
whether the place was in the Tyrol OF
Swissland. l say "was not is-fol
not vestige Of the village remains to tell
the tale which know to be 80 true.
Zweibergthal was the place, and there
were two mountains, one on each side OF
it, fine, rugged, snow-clad, fr-fringed
mountains, much bigger than our coun-
try's hills, but not 30 green and rounded
We found Miss Katie's relations living
in what they call pension, though the
family are we'll off, too and what the
"pension is for can't say.
Mr.. and Miss Neville also came to the
same boarding house; and 1 need hardly
tell you that they were falling fast into
love. 1t was as plain as possible. He
was a pleasant, well spoken gentleman,
and Miss Katie was as charming and, l
must say, as careless as ever.
One day she and had ascended lit
tie way up one of the Sweibergs-I can't
tell their real names-something about a
"stock." We had climbed up alone, for
wonder, and while l was resting, Miss
Katie went on little further.
She had been gone some time when |
saw her running down, pursued by a
strange man, who, as he came nearer, l
perceived wae Gideon Grasper.
He was excited and angry. He yelled
at her to halt, but she only ran the faster,
passing me without stopping. Gideon
saw me in the way, and halted as held
out my arm to check him. He wa. glar-
ing like wild bull the man was going
mad, l believe.
"She shall never be his-never :" he
said. eff have to move the mountains to
fall on her she shall die!'
Then he turned away toward the snow,
wnicn lay tnickly abo~v us. glintino in
the hot sun.
Hot, indeed 1t was beautifully warm );
and to think of 80 much heat near so
much snow was wonderful said as
much to the man at the "pension,' who
spoke some English.
eyes," said he, "it is hot; great deal
too hot for the time of year. We don't
like it.''
"We do" said l, and off l walked
thinking there was something odd in his
manner.
found Miss Katie all OF a tremble.
Gideon had frightened her. and threaten
ed her, but she was more than ever deter
mined to become engaged to MIR. Neville.
So when, thre g days afterward, he sug-
gested little picnic to small hut on
one side of the mountain, where there
was lovely view of the lake and fine
waterfall, she gladly assented, and did
all she could to make up pleasant party.
Twas to go, and Mr.. and Miss Neville,
Miss Katie's cousins too, and two Ger
man students. A guide and porter
were engaged to show the way, and to
help any one who wanted help, and to
carry the baskets.
1t was lovely bright, warm morning,
perfectly still, not breath Of air stirring,
only the hum Of insects or the sound Of
cow-bell could be heard, and as we pro-
ceeded. the roar of the cataract from the
melting snow field above US.
The guide and porter walked in front
by themselves chatting. Another man -
some one in skins and bare knees, with a
high feathery hat-came behind as if he
were watching us; but no one took any
notice of him.
NV onlv fear was about Gideon Gras-
per. and for his interference, and of some
thing the landlord had said about snow
falling.
We reached the hut and had lunch.
After lunch Miss Katie and Mr.. Neville
rambled off, and so did i. Although we
took opposite directions, they soon came
around near me, and as sat in dreamy
wondering way, thinking of home, |
could hear their voices.
Mr.. Neville was pleading hard, and
Miss Katie was yielding. He seems quite
satisfied, for heard him say:
"1hen, dearest, you are mine p in
loud voice. when another voice in threat
enino tones alarmed me. knew too well
who it was-Gideon Grasper.
dumped up. There was the man in
the Tyrol. Sc hat grasping his gun. That
man, then, was Gideon.
He was speaking sternly, firmly, but
without apparent anger. Every now and
then he glanced up the mountain in half
alarmed manner, as if some presentment
weighed upon him. But soon ap-
preached, and understood his words.
Marry her at your peril, then " he
shouted, handling his gun.
Mr.. Neville thought he was going to
be shot, and leaped upon Grasper. There
was shouting and a struggle Miss
Katie screamed. The guide and porter
and the Germans were all shouting at
something or somebody in warning.
Suddenl y the gun went off-both bar
rels at once-with a tremendous roar.
The echoes came back over and over again
in the still air the concussion seemed
tremendous
Suddenly . hiss was heard.a roar
a great lump of snow had tumbied from
the overhangiug mass, and had fallen IN
the belt of fr trees some yards away
and higher up than they were.
aCome back come back !" shouted
tbe Germans in English. Miss Katie,
cousin screamed ont Avalanche y
Rut Mr.. Neville still gripped Grasper.